Apricot tree named ‘Mac12/54’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apricot variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled crossing of the varieties ‘Bhart’ (not patented), marketed as Orangered™, and an unreleased selection (not patented) which was the result of crossing ‘Cluthagold’ (not patented) and ‘Late Moorpark’ (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the late harvest date and rose/red overcolor of the mature fruit accompanied by mid orange colored firm flesh with high soluble solids content. Fruit of ‘Mac12/54’ matures in early to mid February in Otago, New Zealand.

Genus and species of plant claimed: Prunus armeniaca.

Variety denomination: ‘Mac12/54’.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Seedlings obtained from the deliberate crossing of ‘Bhart’ (not patented) (female parent), marketed as Orangered™ and an unreleased selection (not patented) (male parent) resulting from crossing ‘Cluthagold’ (not patented) and ‘Late Moorpark’ (not patented), in September 2003, were planted out at Clyde, Otago, New Zealand, where the cross was also conducted. In February 2008, ‘Mac12/54’ was identified as having potential as a new variety. Later in 2008, ‘Mac12/54’ was asexually propagated from budwood taken at Clyde and budded at Hawkes Bay onto ‘Golden Queen’ (not patented) peach seedlings, the standard apricot rootstock in New Zealand. The resulting trees were planted out at Clyde in the Southern Hemisphere winter of 2009, and were subsequently found to be true to type demonstrating that the characteristics of the new variety, ‘Mac12/54’, are stable and transmitted without change through succeeding generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Mac12/54’ is characterised by medium sized fruit (80-100 g) with rose/red overcolor with mid orange colored firm flesh with high soluble solids content which mature in early to mid February in Otago, New Zealand. ‘Mac12/54’ is distinguished from a number of other varieties by the following characteristics:

‘Mac12/54’ is harvested one to two weeks later and has a stronger flavour when compared with fruit of ‘Cluthagold’ (not patented).

The fruit flesh of ‘Mac 12/54’ is finer in texture and deeper in color that of ‘F194’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,119) (also known as ‘Southern Cross’), and the skin color is a deeper orange.

The fruit skin color of ‘Mac12/54’ is a deeper orange color with a higher sheen than that of ‘F168’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,071) (also known as ‘Larclyd’, marketed as Genevieve).

Mac12/54 differs from Mac12/45 (U.S Ser. No. 13/987,025) in that Mac12/54 is less precocious than Mac 12/45. Mac 12/54 also has more intense fruit flavour compared to its sibling Mac12/45.

Fruit of Mac12/54 is harvested approximately one month later than its parent ‘Bhart’

Mac12/54 differs from its other parent, an unreleased seedling as Mac12/54 has an orange background fruit skin color while the unreleased seedling parent has a yellow/pale orange background fruit skin color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the plant, fruit, and leaves of the new variety was depicted in colors as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same color in illustrations of this character.

FIG. 1 shows a five year old ‘Mac12/54’ tree with fruit.

FIG. 2 shows a ‘Mac12/54’ fruit on the tree.

FIG. 3 shows whole and cut ‘Mac12/54’ fruit.

FIG. 4 shows upper and underside of ‘Mac12/54’ leaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a brief description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts (R.H.S.C.C.) 2001 edition. The specimens described were grown at Clyde, New Zealand. The observations were made of the 2012-2013 seasons on 5 year old mature trees.

-   Tree: Average of approximately 3.0 m tall with a spread of     approximately 2.0 m, medium vigour with an upright to spreading     habit. ‘Mac12/54’ scions are compatible on peach seedlings (‘Golden     Queen’) rootstocks. Tree health is considered to be good under     Central Otago conditions in New Zealand. -   Trunk: Average circumference of a mature trunk, approximately 30 cm     from the graft union, is 285 mm. Trunk color was observed to be near     brown N200B, with reticulate bark texture, and a sparse-medium     density distribution of near greyed yellow 161D oblanceolate     lenticels which averaged approximately 3.0 mm long and 2.0 mm wide. -   One-year-old shoot: Observed in winter were observed to be near     greyed orange 166A in color with near greyed orange 166A, medium     sized bud supports which averaged approximately 4.7 mm in diameter     and 3.3 mm in height. Dormant buds were observed to be ovate,     moderately elongated, near brown 200A in color and approximately 3.4     mm long and 2.0 mm wide. -   Leaves: The leaves examined were fully expanded and harvested from     the central third of growing shoots in summer. The overall shape of     the leaves was observed to be broadly ovate with a moderately obtuse     acuminate tip approximately 7.9 mm long, a truncate base and crenate     margins with a medium undulation, and moderately concave profile in     cross section. Leaves are arranged alternatively and averaged 85.8     mm long and 80.3 mm wide. The color of the upperside was a medium     intensity matte near green 137A, and the color of the underside was     near green 137C. The venation pattern of the leaf was reticulate and     the color of the venation was near yellow green 145D. -   Petiole: The average petiole length of fully expanded leaves was     31.8 mm and 1.9 mm in diameter. The upperside of the petioles had a     medium anthocyanin coloration of near red purple 59B and an     underside coloration of near red purple 60A. Petioles were observed     to have between two and three medium sized nectaries close to the     leaf base which had an average diameter of 1.2 mm. -   Flowers: Observations were made at full bloom unless otherwise     stated. Timing of beginning of flowering, 10% flowers open, was     recorded in early September (approximately 7^(th) September), with     full bloom, 90% of flowers open, occurring mid September     (approximately 13^(th) September). The average diameter of a an open     flower with petals pressed flat was 27.0 mm and borne equally on     spurs and one-year old shoots, flowers had a medium intensity     fragrance. -   Corolla: Five petals per flower, with an average length of 11.1 mm     (excluding claw) and an average width of 9.6 mm and a 1.2 mm claw.     The petal shape (excluding claw) was approximately circular with a     smooth but sinuate margin. Petals were near white, N155D, at full     bloom. -   Stamens: An average of 26 per flower. Filaments were translucent     white in color, and an average of 7.1 mm long, with near yellow     orange 17C anthers and near greyed yellow 162A pollen. Anthers were     on average 1 mm long and 0.9 mm wide. -   Carpel: Pistals were on average 8.1 mm and the stigma sat at     approximately the same level relative to the anthers. -   Calyx: Five sepals per flower, average length of 6.1 mm and width of     3.3 mm with an acute apex and smooth margin. Colored near red purple     64A. -   Pedicel: Average approximately 5.4 mm long and 3.4 mm wide. -   Fruit: Fruit at horticultural maturity were large in size and     observed to be on average 99 g, with an average height of 56.9 mm,     average lateral width of 58 mm, and an average ventral width of     55.4 mm. ‘Mac12/54’ fruit were symmetric and were circular in     lateral and ventral view with a slightly sunken suture and a retuse     apex. The stalk cavity depth was medium, approximately 6.6 mm. The     skin surface was smooth with minimal pubescence, weak gloss, a     background color of near orange 25B and N25B, and approximately 5%     overcolor colored near orange red N34A made up of isolated spots.     The flesh color was near orange 25B and near orange 25B in the stone     cavity with no whiteness around the stone. The flesh texture was     fine with medium firmness, an average of 2.8 kgf, with a weak     adherence to the stone and average soluble solids of approximately     18.5%. -   Stone: Observations were made on dry stones unless otherwise stated.     Stones were circular in shape, lateral view, with an obtuse apex,     and obtuse base. Stones were on average approximately 32 mm long,     with an average lateral width of 28 mm and colored near greyed     orange 165B. -   Harvest timing: Fruit begin ripening late in the season,     approximately 8^(th) February in Clyde New Zealand. -   Use: Fresh eating. -   Pest and disease: ‘Mac12/54’ has no known particular tolerances or     susceptibilities to pests and diseases associated with apricot     trees. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct apricot plant substantially as herein illustrated and described. 